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UN Human Rights Council, March 13, 2008. In reply to speech by UN Watch executive director Hillel Neuer on atrocities in Darfur, Sudan says that UN Watch “lives in a world of media exaggeration on the subject of Darfur.”

On December 3, 2008, the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) Luis Moreno-Ocampo will present his report to the United Nations Security Council on the ICC’s work on the situation in Darfur. The Justice for Darfur campaign, including 48 organizations from around the world, urges you to take this opportunity to express your government’s support for the ICC’s vital work in Darfur.

Over the last five years in Darfur, millions of civilians have suffered the effects of widespread human rights violations, some of which amount to crimes under international law. Indiscriminate attacks against civilians by Sudanese armed forces, supported by allied militia, and by armed opposition groups continue, leaving more than 300,000 people displaced since January 2008. Provision of aid has been increasingly affected by violent attacks against relief workers and growing insecurity. The United Nations (UN) African Union peacekeeping mission sent to protect the people of Darfur continues to be hampered by both government obstruction and ongoing insecurity.

I speak on behalf of UN Watch. We thank the Special Rapporteur for her excellent work for the victims of Darfur.

Mr. President, I am from Darfur, and I know the truth about what is happening there.

The truth can be found in today’s report.

The report shows how the Government of Sudan is violating human rights and international humanitarian law, with physical assaults, abductions and rape.

In October, Government forces attacked Muhajiriya. People praying in a mosque were rounded up, and forty-eight civilians were killed.

In November, Government planes dropped bombs on Habila. The attackers entered the villages, shooting, stealing animals and setting fire to houses.

On 2 December, in West Darfur, armed men attacked a group of ten women and girls. A sixteen-year-old girl from the group was gang raped, and at least three other women were whipped and beaten with axes. Police and soldiers refused to help.

Today’s report says that violence against women in Darfur is continuing. There is no improvement. There is no justice. The attackers enjoy immunity.

Mr. President, in the name of basic human rights, UN Watch urges Sudan to end these attacks against innocent civilians.

UN Watch asks this Council to please stop praising Sudan for its “cooperation.” Mr. President, attacking little girls is not “cooperation.”

We wish to ask the rapporteur: What further action is she planning to protect the victims of Darfur?

Geneva, Dec. 12, 2007 — UN experts reported yesterday to the Human Rights Council that Sudan has failed to live up to its commitments to improve the human rights situation in Darfur. However, Sudan insisted that “the situation is improving,” and complained about “double standards and selectivity.” Supporting Sudan were Pakistan for the Islamic group, and Egypt for the African group, which said that “the international community has failed to truly assist Sudan regarding Darfur.” Malaysia praised Sudan’s “positive engagement” and said Sudan faced “many difficulties” and needed to be “given the time and resources it requires” to implement its obligations.

UN Watch reponded in a speech delivered by Gibreil Hamid, a survivor from Darfur. See full text below.

My name is Gibreil Hamid, I am from Darfur, and I am delivering this statement on behalf of UN Watch.

Many think that the tragedy in Darfur began in 2003. From personal experience, I can testify that this is not the case.

I was born in a small village called Taradona, near Zalinge, in West Darfur. The people were living peacefully until the genocidal regime now in Khartoum seized power in a military coup. It was a black day for the whole country.

In 1989, gunmen attacked my village in the early morning, killing over fifty people from my family. For me, it was the beginning of a nightmare that has lasted eighteen years. Until today, no one knows who committed this atrocity, or why. I can forgive, but I will never forget.

Since 2003, Darfur is known as the worst humanitarian catastrophe on earth. Diplomatic efforts have failed to stop the crimes of the Sudanese government.

We, the victims of Darfur, were hoping so much that this new Human Rights Council would give us a voice, and make a difference in our lives. Yet the genocide continues, and it seems that all this Council does is ask for more reports.

Mr. President, we, the victims of Darfur, come before this council today with a simple message. We do not need more reports. Time is running out. We need action. Our humanitarian situation is critical. Our security situation worsens every day. The Janjaweed are killing and raping us. The innocent civilians of Darfur are in desperate need of protection. We need action, and we need it now.

On behalf of UN Watch and all of the victims of Darfur, I plead before the Council today: please stop adopting resolutions that praise Sudan for its so-called “cooperation.” Please do not eliminate the independent expert on Sudan. Please take action to end the terrible crimes of war.

To all those who are willing to speak out against genocide: May God bless you and give us peace.